Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
astirpatras.gr.
Rather posh Art Deco styling in the public
spaces, handsome rooms, plus a rooftop terrace restaurant
with a pool make this a good choice. Extras inclu
de wi-fi
-i in the
lobby, parking and a sauna. Breakfast included.
€100
Atlanta
Záïmi 10
T
2610 220 098,
E
atlanta@pat
.forthnet.gr.
Modern, plain and central hotel, just across
from the bus station, good enough for an overnighter
but
not especially good value. Rooms are en suite but small.
€70
Galaxy
Ayíou Nikoláou 9
T
2610 275 981,
W
galaxy
hotel.com.gr.
This is a well-placed hotel, newly refurbished,
with a sleekly modern lobby and decent rooms that include
wi-fi and flat-screen TVs. Good buffet breakfast included.
€80
Méditerranée
Ayíou Nikoláou 18
T
26102 79602,
W
mediterranee.gr.
This hotel is modern, modest and
adequate, with helpful staff. Rooms are
a b
it garishly
decorated but have a/c. Breakfast included.
€65
Youth Hostel
Iróön Polytekhníou 62
T
2610 427 278,
W
patrasrooms.gr/hostel.htm.
A handsome stone
mansion (used as Nazi headquarters in World War II) set in
a garden opposite the marina
, bu
t a 1.5km walk from the
centre. No curfew. Dorm beds
€10
2
EATING AND DRINKING
Pátra's restaurant
choices are dominated by fast-food places around Platía Trión Symáhon, and along Ayíou Andhréou and
Ayíou Nikoláou. But even here there are some reliable restaurants with character.
Apanemo
Óthonos & Amalías 107.
Seafood taverna
opposite the fishing harbour, with good fresh fish and
noted for its
galaktoboúreko
(custard pudding). Fresh fish
priced by the kilo, otherwise expect about €15/person.
Daily lunch & dinner.
Majestic
Ayíou Nikoláou 2-4
T
2610 272 243.
This is an
old-style taverna where you can choose from the day's
tasty hot dishes, such as fried
saganáki
, cheese with a
squeeze of fresh lemon, or maybe seafood with spicy
tomato sauce. About €15/person.
Daily lunch & dinner.
Stathmos
Platía Trión Symáhon
T
2610 622 550.
A
lively bar/café/restaurant where you can wait before
boarding a ferry. They serve giant portions of mezédhes,
souvláki
and
spanokópites
, along with grills and fresh fish.
Less than €15/person.
Daily morning till midnight.
ENTERTAINMENT
Carnival
Pátra's three-week carnival (
W
carnivalpatras
.gr), one of Greece's largest, ends on the Sunday before Lent
Monday (Katharí Dheftéra) with a grand parade through
the city centre.
DIRECTORY
Banks and exchange
National Bank of Greece, Platía
Trión Symáhon (normal banking hours plus 6-8pm);
several banks in the area have ATMs.
Books and newspapers
Book's Corner, Ayíou Nikoláou
32, stocks useful maps and English-language newspapers;
the latter are also available from kiosks on the waterfront;
Lexis, Mézonos 38 Patréos 90, stocks maps and a selection
of books in English; the Ermis bookshop at Záïmi stocks
Road's map of Ahaïa.
Car rental
Alamo/National, Ayíou Andhréou 1
T
2610
273 667,
F
2610 277 864; AutoUnion/Thrifty, Ayíou
Dhionysíou 2
T
2610 623 200,
F
2610 622 201; Avis,
28-Oktovríou 16
T
2610 275 547; Delta, Óthonos &
Amalías 44
T
2610 272 764; Eurodollar, Albatros Travel,
Óthonos & Amalías 48
T
2610 220 993; Hertz, 28-Oktovríou
2
T
2610 220 990; InterRent-EuropCar, Ayíou Andhréou 6
T
2610 621 360; Sixt, Ayíou Andhréou 10
T
2610 275 677.
Consulate
Britain, Vótsi 2
T
2610 277 079,
F
2610 225
334.
Post o
ce
Cnr Mézonos Záïmi (Mon-Fri 7.30am-8pm);
also near cnr Gounári Ayíou Andhréou
(Mon-Fri
7.30am-2pm).
Tourist police
(daily 7am-11pm;
T
2610 452 512).
The north coast
The resorts and villages lining the
north coast
are modest, but at least not
overdeveloped. Generally you find little more than a narrow strip of beach, a
campsite, a few rooms for rent and a couple of seasonal tavernas. West of Pátra is
Kalogriá
, the best beach hereabouts. To the east is
Dhiakoftó
from where you can
stop for the old
Kalávryta railway
ride up into the picturesque
Vouraikós gorge
via
quaint
Zakhloroú
. After Dhiakoftó, if you're unhurried, it's worth taking the old
coast road
along the Gulf of Kórinthos; this runs below the national highway, often
right by the sea.
